Sea of Thieves Release Notes - 3.7.0

Season 19 kicks off by overhauling the Hourglass of Fate, later promising a festival-themed Event and a new battle mode for Sloop crews! To learn more about this Season’s headline features, head over to our dedicated Season 19 page.

Shrinking Battle Bounds

• During a Faction Battle, the Battle Bounds will now shrink in size at set intervals during the encounter to discourage fleeing, encourage more exciting battles and ensure fights are brought to a climactic end.

• The starting battle size remains unchanged, allowing crews the space to test their rivals. The area will then shrink twice during the battle, bringing crews together, before settling on an intense final area – where the only option is to fight to become the victor.

• Crews will be notified on-screen and hear clear audio cues when the Battle Bounds are changing. These are also clearly visualised at all times, both on the water’s surface and on the Ship’s Map.

• Crews pledging to a Faction and making a defensive stand on the High Seas against rivals will now find that if they are located nearby or purposefully hidden within the bounds of an island, the shrinking Battle Bounds will consistently force them further out into open waters for the final battle area.

Faction Storage Crates

• When entering a Faction Battle, ships low on supplies will now find a Faction Storage Crate near the mast to help their crews get straight into the fight with sufficient resources to be competitive.

• Upon diving to a battle, the crew’s current supplies spread across any barrels, Storage Crates, player inventories and loaded cannons will be tallied against a minimum threshold. A Faction Storage Crate will then be provided that resupplies resources for any item found under the threshold.

Automatically Raising Emissary Flag

• Crews entering a Faction Battle using the Hourglass of Fate will now have an Emissary Flag raised automatically on behalf of their Faction, reducing the time needed to prepare for battle at the start of a session or following a loss, and ensuring crews earn Emissary Grade progression from all Faction Battles.

• Crews representing the Guardians of Fortune will have their Emissary Flag raised for Athena’s Fortune, while those representing the Servants of the Flame will raise a flag for The Reaper’s Bones. Crews who do not own an Emissary Flag for their Faction will not have an Emissary Flag raised.

Quick Requeue

• Crews losing a Faction Battle will now be offered the ability to dive straight back beneath the waves and search for their next opponent. Using quick requeue also offers the benefit of the provided Faction Storage Crates and automatic raising of the Emissary Flag, ensuring crews are prepared for their next battle.

Faction Battle Entry Requirements

• New players are now required to complete a set of High Seas activities before their crew is eligible to participate in Faction Battles with rival crews, establishing a greater time investment before players unlock access to on-demand battles.

• All members of the crew are now required to have completed the Maiden Voyage and the Tutorial Voyages for the Gold Hoarders, Order of Souls and Merchant Alliance, and reached rank 25 with The Reaper’s Bones during High Seas play.

• Previous techniques used to skip the Maiden Voyage or Trading Company Tutorial Voyages are no longer possible, requiring players to complete these fully before they can become eligible.

• Veteran players will find that they have retained their access to Faction Battles following this update, even if they have not completed all the entry requirements. These new requirements have been established for any new players or new accounts starting their journey on the seas.

New Guardians of Fortune Allegiance Rewards

• Players earning Allegiance in Faction Battles and progressing through ranks 1-100 with the Guardians of Fortune will now unlock additional rewards on their journey through this Faction.

• Guardians can unlock access to the Champion of Fortune Figurehead, Flag, Sails and Hull, Guardian Chief’s Jacket, Gloves and Hat, Guardians of Fortune Warpaint and Pledge of Honour Emote.

New Servants of the Flame Allegiance Rewards

• Players earning Allegiance in Faction Battles and progressing through ranks 1-100 with the Servants of the Flame will now unlock additional rewards on their journey through this Faction.

• Servants can unlock access to the Champion of Flame Figurehead, Flag, Sails and Hull, Warrior Acolyte’s Skull, Upper and Lower Body, Servants of the Flame Warpaint and Pledge of the Chalice Emote.

Commendation Improvements

• A range of Commendations that challenge crews to battle rivals using the Hourglass of Fate have been updated to allow players to progress during a ‘Fight for Honour’ against the same Faction.

Info & Tips Update

• The Info & Tips menu has now been expanded to explain the new additions to Faction Battles, helping crews understand how they’ll be prepared for upcoming encounters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SwSbbCPSu4

Fight Nights (March 20th–23rd, April 10th–13th)

• Load the cannons and brace yourself as the Battle for the Sea of Thieves rages on! During Fight Nights, pirates who engage in Faction Battles using the Hourglass of Fate will receive double Allegiance and gold for their dedication.

• Crews who perform well against their rivals during Fight Nights can earn the Fallen Sea Dog Jacket by winning three battles for either Faction.

Sea of Thieves Eighth Anniversary (from March 19th)

• Celebrate eight years on the seas with a range of commemorative cosmetics! The striking Golden Sailor Figurehead is freely awarded to all players who set sail between March 19th and 30th.

• The Lustrous Legend Sails, Flag and Eye of Reach are also available to claim through Microsoft Rewards and Game Pass In-Game Benefits – see March’s Sea of Thieves News video for an overview and keep an eye on Xbox Wire for full details of how and when to participate.

Xbox Free Play Weekend (March 19th–24th)

• The perfect opportunity to bring in new crewmates! During this period, anyone can download and try out the game on Xbox (or PC via the Microsoft Store or Xbox app) without needing to purchase.

Season 19 Community Weekend (March 27th–30th)

• It’s back for Season 19, and extended to three days! Enjoy free gifts and Twitch Drops, seek out sneaky Pop-Up Plunder, pose at Picture Walls and make use of Community Emissary Grade reward boosts raised by watching Sea of Thieves streamers on Twitch.

• As a bonus Community Spirit Goal, if players collectively hand in enough Bronze Pondies to The Hunter’s Call during Community Weekend, the Meridian Hunter Double Barrel Pistol will be unlocked for everyone taking part.

• The Cake Hunt also returns to mark Sea of Thieves’ latest anniversary, once again with unique Titles to earn by tracking down far-flung treats and solving the puzzle they present!

Another Season means 100 new levels to climb by raising your Renown, with racks full of rewards to snag along the way – and an optional Plunder Pass adding even more!

Season 19 Rewards and Plunder Pass

• Progressing through the 100 levels of Renown in Season 19 will reward players with a variety of new cosmetics. The Warring Seas clothing set and ship cosmetics can be unlocked, while Pirate Legends can also earn the Scourge of the Dark Brethren Mask and Scourge of the Sirens Cutlass.

• Time-limited for Season 19, players can also earn the exclusive Fearless Warrior Flag, Hull, Sails, Makeup and Tattoo. Head to the Seasons profile page to browse the new rewards and check your pirate’s progress!

• Pick up a Plunder Pass to gain access to a plethora of additional unlockable cosmetics from the Kraken’s Ruin collection, including a ship set and selection of themed clothing, all individually earned by raising your Renown. Purchase a Pass in-game through the Pirate Log or Pirate Emporium, or via the Pirate Emporium webpage and Steam Item Store!

• Players earning Doubloons as Seasonal Renown rewards during Season 19 will retain these following the Doubloon reset on April 16th.

Season 19 Emissary Ledger Rewards

• This Season, the Guild Emissary Ledgers offers the ‘Stones of Siren Power’ Ornament and ‘The Depths of Fear’ Animated Painting.

• The Hunter’s Call Emissary Ledger now offers the Living Depths Cutlass and Pistol. These new rewards are earnable by representing The Hunter’s Call as Emissaries.

Season 19 Deeds and Rewards

• Pirates taking on Faction Battles during Act 1 can earn a boost to their Seasonal Renown and ‘The War of the Flame’ Painting by completing the available Deeds.

Chest of Fortune

• For the duration of Season 19, the Chest of Fortune will surface following the defeat of an emergent Fleet of Fortune. These special Skeleton Fleet encounters are signified by a glowing red ship-shaped cloud in the sky when active.

• With the Fortune’s Favour and Reaper’s Riches Commendations now having reached Grade 10 and their respective cosmetic sets now complete as part of a previous update, no further Commendation Grades will be added in future.

The Smugglers’ League

• The Smugglers’ Route Run has now shifted location and directs crews between Plunder Valley and Crescent Isle, and is marked on the Ship’s Map for all to see.

World Balancing

• With Season 18 having drawn to a close, boosted gold and reputation rates offered by the Trading Companies and Smuggler’s League representatives within The Devil’s Roar now return to their previous levels.

• Morrow’s Peak Outpost remains a potential starting location for crews joining a session, but its frequency has been reduced to align with other Outpost locations.

Show off your personal style with purchases from the Pirate Emporium! Pick up exclusive cosmetics such as ship liveries, costumes, weapons, pets and emotes using your Ancient Coins, purchasable with real money. Head to the Pirate Emporium to browse and buy the latest additions!

New Items – Now in Stock!

• Spirit of Blackwyche Ship Collection

• Spirit of Blackwyche Weapon Bundle

• Spirit of Blackwyche Clothing Bundle

• Rock, Paper, Scissors Emote Bundle

• Athena’s Fortune and Reaper’s Bones War Birds (time-limited during Season 19)

• Night Wulf Cannon Flare (players who previously purchased the Night Wulf Ship Bundle will now find the Cannon Flare in their Ship Customisation Chest)

• Help Me Emote – Free!

Commemorative Doubloon Items (available until April 16th)

• Ahead of the Doubloon reset on April 16th, Larinna now offers a range of commemorative items on which players can spend their Doubloons. The Doubloon Hoarder Title, Belt, Eyepatch and Sails are each available at their own Doubloon price tag and will be removed from sale on April 16th.

• Players unable to log in and purchase these commemorative items before April 16th will find these items purchased on their behalf and delivered to their cosmetic chests. Items will be purchased with the most expensive first until funds run out.

Lifetime Doubloon Reward (earnings calculated on April 16th)

• Players who hoarded a significant number of Doubloons in their account lifetime may be eligible for an additional cosmetic reward: the Doubloon Hoarder Cutlass. Players who collected over 50,000 Doubloons in their lifetime earnings by April 16th will be issued this fine prize as part of a future game update.

New Outpost Stock!

• The Outpost shopkeepers now offer the Midnight Prowler equipment and instruments.

• The shipwrights have also restocked this month with the Pink Resolute Sails, Hull and Flag.

Ashen Garrison Resources

• Crews laying siege to an Ashen Garrison will now find fewer Bone Callers and Cursed Cannonballs in the crates and barrels around the structure.

Performance Improvements

• Further performance improvements have been made to player ships, Skeleton Ships and the Legend of the Veil Ghost Garrison whenever these are created during a session.

• Improvements have been made when opening Outpost shops, the Pirate Emporium and Reputation menus to provide a smoother framerate as UI menus load in a large number of items.

• In addition to the above areas, this update includes a range of smaller improvements to high-framerate play, addressing hitches that impact the smoothness of the gameplay.

Gameplay

• Crews should find that Traitor’s Fate Fortress and Mercy’s End Fortress are once again active.

• Players using sprint to cancel the charge of a Trident of the Banished will now consistently see the bubble visual effects when charging the next shot.

• Order of Bone and Blade Skeletons on the Search for Ancient Secrets Voyage should no longer become stuck repeatedly equipping their shovel when reaching the dig site via difficult terrain.

• Order of Bone and Blade Skeletons defeated while performing an action should now remain in a downed state.

• Order of Bone and Blade Skeletons should now consistently appear downed when all crew members die and return from the Ferry of the Damned. Skeletons should then act as intended once revived.

• Order of Bone and Blade Skeletons should no longer become stuck on island barrels while assisting with maps.

Visual and Audio

• The Noble Pathfinder Flag now appears correctly when equipped on a Brigantine.

• Exploding a Black Powder Barrel on a Skeleton Ship now displays the explosion effects correctly above the waterline.

• The Castaway at the Outpost now appears correctly when approached from a distance.

• Skeleton Mercenaries now hold Lighthouse Logs correctly.

• A range of Pirate Emporium items have been improved to address visual issues when viewed from a distance.

• Items placed inside a Forbidden Coral Chest now have the correct appearance.

• Players wielding a fishing rod now appear correctly when jumping.

Ashen Garrisons

• Improvements have been made to areas of the environment at King’s Chalice and Servant’s Oath Garrisons to address visual issues and prevent players from becoming stuck while traversing.

• Storage Crates acquired from Ashen Garrisons can now be sold for 250 gold.

• Ships can no longer be pulled through closed Sea Gates at Ashen Garrisons.

• During a siege on an Ashen Garrison, battle music should now be heard and remain in sync with the encounter.

• The Oath Lighthouse Log now appears correctly when placed inside a Collector’s Chest.

• Allied skeletons now trigger traps while navigating Ashen Garrisons.

• When completing a Raid Voyage for the Gold Hoarders, the treasure in the Ashen Garrison Vault now appears correctly.

• Players should now consistently find they can progress the Ashen Oar Rival Commendation upon meeting the required criteria.

Environment

• Improvements have been made to areas of the environment at Fetcher’s Rest, Old Brinestone Fortress, Sailor’s Knot Stronghold and Ancient Spire Outpost to address visual issues and prevent players from becoming stuck while traversing.

• Fireplaces at Blind Man’s Lagoon Skeleton Camp now ignite and damage players.

• ‘Shores of Gold’ – Skeletons emerging on the island during this Tall Tale should now be able to follow the player more accurately and no longer appear to become stuck.

Text and Localisation

• A grammatical error in the Vanguard of Athena’s Fortune Title has been corrected.

• Further improvements have been made to localisation across a range of languages, addressing incorrect terminology usage and correcting untranslated text.

Performance and Stability

• Opening and closing the Pirate Emporium in quick succession no longer causes the game to stall for a short time.

• Improvements have been made to game stability to reduce scenarios where players unexpectedly exit the game or become disconnected from their session.

To learn more about known issues in Sea of Thieves currently being tracked and their status, head over to our Known Issues support site article.

Download Size: 

• Steam: 3.2 GB